Scanning endoscope

Abstract

A scanning endoscope comprising a light transmitter, a first actuator, a weight, and a second actuator, is provided. The light transmitter emits a beam of the light exiting the first emission end. The light transmitter is flexible. The first actuator is mounted near the first emission end. The first actuator bends the light transmitter in a second direction by pushing a side of the light transmitter toward the second direction. The weight is movable from the first actuator to the first emission end along the first direction. The weight changes a position of the center of mass of a protruding section by moving in unison with the light transmitter in the second direction when the first actuator bends the light transmitter. The second actuator moves the weight in either direction along the first direction.

1 . A scanning endoscope comprising:
 a light transmitter that transmits light received at a first incident end to a first emission end, the light transmitter emitting a beam of the light exiting the first emission end, the light transmitter being flexible, a longitudinal direction of the light transmitter being a first direction;   a first actuator that is mounted near the first emission end, the first actuator bending the light transmitter in a second direction by pushing a side of the light transmitter toward the second direction, the second direction being perpendicular to the first direction;   a weight that is movable from the first actuator to the first emission end along the first direction, the weight changing a position of the center of mass of a protruding section by moving in unison with the light transmitter in the second direction when the first actuator bends the light transmitter, the protruding section being a section of the illumination fiber that is extended from the first actuator; and   a second actuator that moves the weight in either direction along the first direction.   
     
     
         2 . A scanning endoscope according to  claim 1 , wherein the weight has a length in the first direction, the weight is made of an elastic material, the weight is positioned between the light transmitter and the first actuator, and the weight transmits a pushing force from the first actuator to a side of the light transmitter as the weight is deformed elastically in the second direction. 
     
     
         3 . A scanning endoscope according to  claim 2 , further comprising a worm gear that meshes with the weight that is shaped as a coil spring, the weight being moved in either direction along the first direction by the second actuator rotating the worm gear. 
     
     
         4 . A scanning endoscope according to  claim 1 , further comprising a third actuator that moves the light transmitter in either direction along the first direction. 
     
     
         5 . A scanning endoscope according to  claim 1 , wherein the second actuator moves the light transmitter in either direction along the first direction. 
     
     
         6 . A scanning endoscope according to  claim 5 , wherein the second actuator moves the weight and the light transmitter different distances. 
     
     
         7 . A scanning endoscope comprising:
 a light transmitter that transmits light received at a first incident end to a first emission end, the light transmitter emitting a beam of the light exiting the first emission end, the light transmitter being flexible, a longitudinal direction of the light transmitter being a first direction;   a first actuator that is mounted near the first emission end, the first actuator bending the light transmitter in a second direction by pushing a side of the light transmitter toward the second direction, the second direction being perpendicular to the first direction; and   a second actuator that moves the light transmitter in either direction along the first direction.